Sanskrit sources of Kerala history
by Suma Parappattoli | 2010 | 88,327 words
This study deals with the history of Kerala based on ancient Sanskrit sources, such as the Keralamahatmyam. The modern state known as Keralam or Kerala is situated on the Malabar Coast of India. The first chapter of this study discusses the historical details from the inscriptions. The second chapter deals with the historical points from the Mahatm...
This book contains Sanskrit text which you should never take for granted as transcription mistakes are always possible. Always confer with the final source and/or manuscript.
10. The Nilakanthasandesa by Sridharan Nambi
Sridharan Nambi [Nampi] of the famous Punnasseri[1] house in Pattambi has composed a poem called Nilakanthasandesa [Nilakantasandesa][2] consisting of 126 verses in all. The author flourished between 1774-1830 AD. He was a student of Bharata Pisarati and he became a famous astrologer. He had also composed Vikramadityacarita and Bhagavtam Ekadasa skanda in Kilippattu style in Malayalam[3]. The members of the poetic family used to adorn the ministership of the kings of Calicut and managed the affairs of the Eralippatu.
The subject matter of the Nilakanthasandesa poem is the message sent from Irinayur (Ihapura) to cerppulasseri through a peacock. Here the identity of the hero and the heroine and the circumstances in which the separation occurred are not mentioned.
The Sandesahara has to pass through the places reach the destination Viz Kasthali, Puspakrota, Marutapura, Vallapaga, Surakrotam and Maniyanatam. These are the Sanskritised forms of the names of certain local places between Pattambi and Cerppulasseri.
The Talasseri fight between the Zamorin and Hyder is stated in this Nilakantha-sandesa Kavya. Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore and the Samutiri of Kolikkot are mentioned in the Nilakantha-sandesha poem as Ayitali and Acatambhodhibharata respectively. The fight between the Samutiri and Hyder Ali in the battle field of Calisseri near Kunnamkulam is referred to it in the poem. The place is described as very suitable for the camping of the army. In the battle the heads and hands of soldiers were cut down by sharp arrows, and flood splashed everywhere mixed with flesh and fat[4].
History records Hyder Ali’s conquest of Malabar[5]. He became the Navab of Mysore in 1761. He wanted to annex Kerala. In 1766 Hyder marched his army into north Kerala and defeated the joint forces of Samuthiri and his allies at Perumkulam, and coming to Kolikote besieged the Samutiris fort. Hyder again appeared in Malabar in 1773. Hyder Alis authority was reestablished in Malabar without any resistance. Hyder then turned his attention to Kochi and captured Trissur in 1776[6]. The invasion of Hyder Ali mentioned in the poem must be most probably be the second one. The date of the poet, is between 1774-1830 AD[7]. The Mysore forces rallied at Ramagiri fort on the road from Cerppulasseri to Pattambi in Palakkad district only to be routed once more[8]. The route of this poem also runs from Pattambi to Cherpulasseri.
A few reonnants of a fort are seen at Calisseri. K.C. Manavikrama Raja says that the fort fell down due e to the invasion of Tippu[9]. This fort is known as too Kuttanattkotta. This place is located in Palakkat district about 10 km from Pattambi on the way to Guruvayur. It is believed to be constructed by one of the Hindu kings, forgotten by history. Some opinion that the fort belongs to Tippu Sultan. Local tradition also supports this view[10].
In the Nilakanthasandesa poem, there is a reference to the journey of European couples by the vehicles drawn by horses etc. available in those days. The word Hunadhisa in this poem indicates the British power in Kerala.
The social references such as Brahmacarins stage, study of Mimamsa Sastra and gift of Brahmesva in temples are some of the other notable features in the Nilakantha-sandesa poem[11].
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Ed. K. Raghavan Pillai, Travancore Sanskrit Series No. 218, 1966
[3]:
P. Govindapillai points out the following works also besides those stated above as written by Sridharan Nambi,—
1 -Parivetana Sataka,
2 -Bhagavata sangraha
3 -Madhyaganitha and Astakavali Govindapillai—Malayalabhasa charitram, P -408
[4]:
Nilakanthasandesa -Slokas 30 -32
[5]:
K.P. Padmanabha Menon, History of Kerala, P 266
[7]:
Kerala Sanskrit Literature P 236
[8]:
Kerala District Gazetters, Kozhikode, P 153
[9]:
E.E. Nambuthiri -Kerala University XVI, 4, Pp 39 -49
[10]:
District census hand book, 3, Palakkad, 1965, P 73